Diaper Dermatitis
What is it?
Diaper dermatitis, better known as diaper rash, is a
sore, red rash that appears on skin that is covered by a
diaper.
Who gets it?
Diaper rash is the most common type of dermatitis in
infants and children who wear diapers.
What causes it?
Diaper rashes are usually caused by prolonged contact
with moisture. In addition, the bacteria found in bowel
movements reacts with chemicals in urine and creates a
build up of ammonia and other chemicals that irritate the
skin. There is no apparent link between diaper rash and
cloth or disposable diapers.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of diaper rash include a sore, red rash on
the skin in the diaper area. The infant may cry when he or
she urinates or has a bowel movement because it further
irritates the skin. A rash that covers a large area, is
bright red and raw, and is surrounded by red dots
indicates a yeast infection.
How is it diagnosed?
Diaper rash is diagnosed by its appearance and
location.
What is the treatment?
The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep the area
as clean and dry as possible. This requires frequent
diaper changes. Gently cleanse the skin after a bowel
movement with a mild soap, rinse with warm water, then dry
the skin completely. If the skin is cracked, you can apply
a barrier cream to protect the skin from moisture. Your
doctor will recommend that you let your child’s skin get
as much air as possible. You can do this by letting your
child nap without a diaper, placing a waterproof pad or
open diaper under his or her bottom to protect the bed
from urine or bowel movements while the child is sleeping.
If you use cloth diapers, avoid plastic pants, which do
not allow airflow. It’s a good idea to use disposable
diapers at night because they pull the moisture away from
the child’s skin. With treatment, diaper rashes should
begin to heal within three days. Because a baby has a
large ratio of skin to body weight, it is best to avoid
steroid creams, which are absorbed into the bloodstream
through the skin. Only use a steroid cream if recommended
by your doctor for severe cases of diaper rash. A yeast
infection is treated with a special antifungal cream.
Self-care tips
You can prevent diaper rash by changing diapers
frequently so the skin stays dry. Applying a light layer
of cornstarch may help to prevent diaper rash. Talcum
powder should not be used because it can be inhaled and
cause respiratory infections. If you wash your own cloth
diapers, be sure to use bleach to sterilize the diapers.
Contact your doctor if a diaper rash does not improve with
treatment after several days.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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